Revolutionary War boarding cutlass

M ELEY · 5th July 2011, 04:22 AM

Thanks for responding, Dmitry. I hadn't thought about detecting what species the antler had come from. Definitely something I will try to look into. I do hope it's an American piece, as I lack one in my collection. BTW, Happy 4th, everyone...

laEspadaAncha · 5th July 2011, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M ELEY

BTW, Happy 4th, everyone...

Yes... Happy 4th.

I thought about posting a "post-your-pictures" thread of early American weapons to commemorate the 4th. A little late now I guess, but maybe we can start such a thread early next 4th...

Nice cutlass BTW...

M ELEY · 6th July 2011, 06:10 AM

Sounds like a plan! Or perhaps for President's Day-

By shear coincidence, I was in a used bookstore today and saw a book on hunting. In it were 'uses for antler' and a brief run-down of their sources here. I was just thinking about common white-tail and mule deer and had forgotten about elk, moose and Canadian caribou. Hopefully, I might find someone who can help ID the hilt material soon.

Neil · 6th July 2011, 02:24 PM

I am quite familiar with white-tail deer as a hunter, and in my opinion that does not look like white-tail antler. Of course it is very difficult to say definitively from a photo. It is the coloration more than anything that makes me feel its from another animal, too red. Of course the lighting in the photo may be deceptive, or aging and or environmental conditions may be a factor as well.

M ELEY · 7th July 2011, 12:28 AM

I agree, Neil, which is why when Dmitry brought up this important point, I got a little worried. It doesn't look like typical deer, but I've seen stag antlers weathered outside that looks like this. I read an article on moose anters that specifically says that the horn can take on an orange color. One site had caribou antler that had been stained (a popular process even back in colonial times with green-stained ivory hilts, stained shagreen wrap, etc.). This really leads me back to the beginning, as all the different types of antler listed above kinda looks the same after you've been looking at examples for awhile (and moose, caribou, deer, etc, are also found throughout Europe and below the Artic Circle.). I'll possibly take it to the local university and see if one of the biology profs might be able to identify it based on texture, mass, etc. In any case, even if it proves to be European, it's of the period, naval, and STILL could have been a captured piece, import, or family heirloom used by colonists (half of Neumann's book supports this fact). I guess we'll see...

Neil · 7th July 2011, 03:36 AM

Going to the university sounds like great idea, good luck.

M ELEY · 7th July 2011, 01:00 PM

Until further info comes in. Canadian moose were found in Michigan, upper state NY, Minnesota, and parts of northern New England.

5th July 2011, 04:22 AM	#1
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	Happy Independence Day, all- Thanks for responding, Dmitry. I hadn't thought about detecting what species the antler had come from. Definitely something I will try to look into. I do hope it's an American piece, as I lack one in my collection. BTW, Happy 4th, everyone...

7th July 2011, 01:00 PM	#7
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	The likely suspects... Until further info comes in. Canadian moose were found in Michigan, upper state NY, Minnesota, and parts of northern New England. Attached Images

6th July 2011, 06:10 AM	#3
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	Sounds like a plan! Or perhaps for President's Day- By shear coincidence, I was in a used bookstore today and saw a book on hunting. In it were 'uses for antler' and a brief run-down of their sources here. I was just thinking about common white-tail and mule deer and had forgotten about elk, moose and Canadian caribou. Hopefully, I might find someone who can help ID the hilt material soon.

6th July 2011, 02:24 PM	#4
Neil Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 114	I am quite familiar with white-tail deer as a hunter, and in my opinion that does not look like white-tail antler. Of course it is very difficult to say definitively from a photo. It is the coloration more than anything that makes me feel its from another animal, too red. Of course the lighting in the photo may be deceptive, or aging and or environmental conditions may be a factor as well.

7th July 2011, 12:28 AM	#5
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	I agree, Neil, which is why when Dmitry brought up this important point, I got a little worried. It doesn't look like typical deer, but I've seen stag antlers weathered outside that looks like this. I read an article on moose anters that specifically says that the horn can take on an orange color. One site had caribou antler that had been stained (a popular process even back in colonial times with green-stained ivory hilts, stained shagreen wrap, etc.). This really leads me back to the beginning, as all the different types of antler listed above kinda looks the same after you've been looking at examples for awhile (and moose, caribou, deer, etc, are also found throughout Europe and below the Artic Circle.). I'll possibly take it to the local university and see if one of the biology profs might be able to identify it based on texture, mass, etc. In any case, even if it proves to be European, it's of the period, naval, and STILL could have been a captured piece, import, or family heirloom used by colonists (half of Neumann's book supports this fact). I guess we'll see...

7th July 2011, 03:36 AM	#6
Neil Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 114	Going to the university sounds like great idea, good luck.